A first confirmed record of the Indian Crested Porcupine Hystrix indica (Mammalia: Rodentia: Hystricidae) in the United Arab Emirates

Researchers have documented the first confirmed presence of the Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a significant extension—approximately 600 km—beyond its known range in Arabia. The discovery was made through camera trap images captured at two locations within Wadi Wurayah National Park (WWNP) between 2015 and 2016, alongside social surveys conducted in nearby villages, confirming long-term occupancy. This isolated subpopulation suggests a previously unrecorded presence of the species in the region, warranting further investigation into its genetic and demographic resilience.

Chreiki, M. K., Steer, M. D., Majeed, S. U., Kakembo, S., & Ross, S. (2018). A first confirmed record of the Indian Crested Porcupine Hystrix indica (Mammalia: Rodentia: Hystricidae) in the United Arab Emirates Journal of Threatened Taxa, 10(7), 11928. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.4093.10.7.11928-11933